I'm sure I wouldn't have been asked to judge the Man Booker if it weren't for 'Downton.'

All my early school reports from the age of 5 were 'Daniel must learn not to distract others.'

I've never been a fan of directors who clutter a piece with all sorts of crazy preconceptions or weird ideas.

I never quite toed the line. I was a bit disruptive. All my early school reports from the age of 5 were 'Daniel must learn not to distract others.' And now, that's what I do for a living.

My dad tells me that he took us to a pantomime when I was very, very small - panto being a sort of English phenomenon. There's traditionally a part of the show where they'll invite kids up on the stage to interact with the show. I was too young to remember this, but my dad says that I was running up onstage before they even asked us.

I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.